Agile 2800

[BatUtilityBelt]

At $239.99, this might be a very good deal. Without pictures, it's hard to say though. Anyone thinking of an Agile double-cut might want to check out this Guitar Center Used listing...
https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Agile ... -Guitar.gc
I'm guessing it's a righty. And while I'm guessing, I'll say Tribal Blue flame top for no apparent reason.

[mickey]

This what you are thinking of???

https://www.rondomusic.com/ad2800blu.html

[sabasgr68]

This what you are thinking of???

https://www.rondomusic.com/ad2800blu.html

I also have the feeling it´s one of those.

[slowhand84]

At $239.99, this might be a very good deal. Without pictures, it's hard to say though. Anyone thinking of an Agile double-cut might want to check out this Guitar Center Used listing...
https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Agile ... -Guitar.gc
I'm guessing it's a righty. And while I'm guessing, I'll say Tribal Blue flame top for no apparent reason.

Assuming this actually is an AD2800 after tax and shipping it's basically what they cost brand new. Would be a good deal for an AD3000 though!

[Chocol8]

What they cost new 10+ years ago!

[slowhand84]

What they cost new 10+ years ago!

Right, but this isn't a vintage collectible instrument and they're really not growing in value over time. I've purchased several Agiles (for myself and for others) in recent years and it is still pretty easy to find just about all the models for well below what they cost new...even 10 years ago. I'm not saying this is some kinda terrible rip-off price, just that it's far from being a great deal.

[BatUtilityBelt]

Where else do see an AD-2800 near that price?

[slowhand84]

Where else do see an AD-2800 near that price?

The AD3000 (the higher end model) usually goes for around $300-$325 used, and I bought an AD-2800 for a friend about 1.5 years ago for $200 shipped. Again, not saying it's a rip-off or anything but just that nearly brand new pricing on any Agile really can't be considered a great deal. Especially given that there is no case and the condition is only listed as "good", which is on the lower end of the spectrum and typically means there is damage.

[tobijohn]

IIRC, the last time Agile 2800 series guitars were available from Rondo had to be no later than 2014/15. Taking inflation and subsequent higher production costs into account, I wouldn't be ashamed to pay in the low to mid $200s for one, assuming it' was in at least VGC...

[BatUtilityBelt]

Where else do see an AD-2800 near that price?

The AD3000 (the higher end model) usually goes for around $300-$325 used, and I bought an AD-2800 for a friend about 1.5 years ago for $200 shipped. Again, not saying it's a rip-off or anything but just that nearly brand new pricing on any Agile really can't be considered a great deal. Especially given that there is no case and the condition is only listed as "good", which is on the lower end of the spectrum and typically means there is damage.

You and I agree "good" is not promising. I only buy "great" or "excellent" on GC used so I don't get stuck with shipping costs if I return a guitar for condition reasons. And there are still steals out there, but no, this is not the market of even 2 years ago. Inflation after the worst of the pandemic is still not under control, and that has obviously reached the guitar market. The fact one of us might come across a steal on occasion doesn't mean that's where the prices realistically are. The times, they are a-changin.

[tobijohn]

The AD3000 (the higher end model) usually goes for around $300-$325 used...

Someone got a pretty good deal on this one. I remember paying around $400 for an AL-3001 (SS frets) without OHSC in June 2014:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/145389468535

https://www.rondomusic.com/al3100csbf.html

[slowhand84]

Where else do see an AD-2800 near that price?

The AD3000 (the higher end model) usually goes for around $300-$325 used, and I bought an AD-2800 for a friend about 1.5 years ago for $200 shipped. Again, not saying it's a rip-off or anything but just that nearly brand new pricing on any Agile really can't be considered a great deal. Especially given that there is no case and the condition is only listed as "good", which is on the lower end of the spectrum and typically means there is damage.

You and I agree "good" is not promising. I only buy "great" or "excellent" on GC used so I don't get stuck with shipping costs if I return a guitar for condition reasons. And there are still steals out there, but no, this is not the market of even 2 years ago. Inflation after the worst of the pandemic is still not under control, and that has obviously reached the guitar market. The fact one of us might come across a steal on occasion doesn't mean that's where the prices realistically are. The times, they are a-changin.

Inflation is obviously a thing and affects a lot of stuff, and the market is of course always changing...but I refer you back to my original point, which is that certain guitars go up in value and others don't. Agile is just not one of those brands that really gains value over time, regardless of the economic situation. When they're priced well (aka decently under new price), they sell fairly quickly. When not, they sit. This is the case over at GC, on Reverb, and anywhere else. GC Used has a ton of ALs priced right about at what they cost new that have been sitting for months. Sure, someone out there might be willing to pay close to or exactly new price for a used guitar (or even just over, if they really love it)...that's never impossible, but it is really the exception and not the norm. Most Agiles sold on Reverb at higher prices have multiple offers, meaning they accepted a decently lower offer than their asking price.

Again though, my point is not to say this isn't a good guitar or that someone wouldn't be happy with it at this price. Just that if we're going to talk about it as a "very good deal", I'd have to respectfully disagree.

The AD3000 (the higher end model) usually goes for around $300-$325 used...

Someone got a pretty good deal on this one. I remember paying around $400 for an AL-3001 (SS frets) without OHSC in June 2014:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/145389468535

https://www.rondomusic.com/al3100csbf.html

Yessir, and auctions like this are a good indicator of what the actual market value is for these guitars.

[BatUtilityBelt]

Inflation is obviously a thing and affects a lot of stuff, and the market is of course always changing...but I refer you back to my original point, which is that certain guitars go up in value and others don't. Agile is just not one of those brands that really gains value over time, regardless of the economic situation.

I guess we'll just have to disagree on that. Not all Agiles, but I see a significant number of Agile models routinely going up in the used market, I assume because they have a faithful fan base. Like @tobijohn 's AL-3001 example (love my 3001, BTW), some just don't have equals on the market in lower price points. So I do see some Agile models demanding more money the way Tokai (Japan) and a few other harder to find brands have. I feel absolutely lucky to have found the Agile steals I have. That's the only reason I won't spend original new pricing on several of them used now - because I already have them. And as time goes by, those models that are no longer made will enjoy market rarity.

[tobijohn]

I guess we'll just have to disagree on that. Not all Agiles, but I see a significant number of Agile models routinely going up in the used market, I assume because they have a faithful fan base. Like @tobijohn 's AL-3001 example (love my 3001, BTW), some just don't have equals on the market in lower price points. So I do see some Agile models demanding more money the way Tokai (Japan) and a few other harder to find brands have. I feel absolutely lucky to have found the Agile steals I have. That's the only reason I won't spend original new pricing on several of them used now - because I already have them. And as time goes by, those models that are no longer made will enjoy market rarity.

I haven't done an extensive comparison but generally speaking, used left-handed Agiles seem to command a little higher price than the same right-handed model. Not a crazy amount, maybe 10-20%. However, certain models such as Ghosts, Harms, AS-1000s, etc do a lot better than ALs and ADs...

[slowhand84]

Inflation is obviously a thing and affects a lot of stuff, and the market is of course always changing...but I refer you back to my original point, which is that certain guitars go up in value and others don't. Agile is just not one of those brands that really gains value over time, regardless of the economic situation.

I guess we'll just have to disagree on that. Not all Agiles, but I see a significant number of Agile models routinely going up in the used market, I assume because they have a faithful fan base. Like @tobijohn 's AL-3001 example (love my 3001, BTW), some just don't have equals on the market in lower price points. So I do see some Agile models demanding more money the way Tokai (Japan) and a few other harder to find brands have. I feel absolutely lucky to have found the Agile steals I have. That's the only reason I won't spend original new pricing on several of them used now - because I already have them. And as time goes by, those models that are no longer made will enjoy market rarity.

I think it is important to differentiate between what people are asking and what they are actually selling for. Lots of people see Agile ALs posted on Reverb for $500+ and think that represents market value, but market value is only a factor of sold listings and what they went for. That said I absolutely agree with you on feeling lucky to own the Agiles I have...I'm down to just 2 left in my collection (a custom shop AS-1000 that I got for $199 and an Epic Mod that I got for $299) and I would never sell either of them. I've had so many guitars over the years and these Agiles still really impress me every time I grab 'em.

[BatUtilityBelt]

I think it is important to differentiate between what people are asking and what they are actually selling for. Lots of people see Agile ALs posted on Reverb for $500+ and think that represents market value, but market value is only a factor of sold listings and what they went for. That said I absolutely agree with you on feeling lucky to own the Agiles I have...I'm down to just 2 left in my collection (a custom shop AS-1000 that I got for $199 and an Epic Mod that I got for $299) and I would never sell either of them. I've had so many guitars over the years and these Agiles still really impress me every time I grab 'em.

We do at least agree there are a lot of people overpricing used gear these days. If this 2800 was a lefty, I'd have begged them for pictures and probably already bought it at that price just to check it out (easy return policy. so $22 shipping cost to rent it for 45 days).

[slowhand84]

I think it is important to differentiate between what people are asking and what they are actually selling for. Lots of people see Agile ALs posted on Reverb for $500+ and think that represents market value, but market value is only a factor of sold listings and what they went for. That said I absolutely agree with you on feeling lucky to own the Agiles I have...I'm down to just 2 left in my collection (a custom shop AS-1000 that I got for $199 and an Epic Mod that I got for $299) and I would never sell either of them. I've had so many guitars over the years and these Agiles still really impress me every time I grab 'em.

We do at least agree there are a lot of people overpricing used gear these days. If this 2800 was a lefty, I'd have begged them for pictures and probably already bought it at that price just to check it out (easy return policy. so $22 shipping cost to rent it for 45 days).

Yep, GC Used really can't be beat. So many absolutely insane steals there over the years. Pretty much the only place I'll buy a guitar from, though I have had a score or two at Sam Ash and MGR as well.

[tobijohn]

The big-name guys still get a break on shipping, the charge for the first used guitar I bought from GC in 2015 and the last one in 2021 is about the same ($21/$23). Shipping on the very first Agile I bought from Rondo in March 2014 was $19 and the last one in December 2021 was $22. However, it seems shipping costs for individuals has close to doubled in the last 5-6 years. Add $70-$100 to a steal of a deal and it no longer is one...

[Chocol8]

The new price isn't much of an indicator for used prices after a guitar hasn't been available new for a while. A better indicator would be the prices of alternatives. A used Agile should sell at a discount to the available new alternatives that are of similar quality. Since inflation has driven up new prices, used have climbed as well. As such, an early AL-2000 that sold for $220 new might fetch $250-$350 today. Maybe more for the old headstock and horn. You certainly aren't going to find too many selling for $150 or less.